About Yao Ming not being eligible for this years NBA draft? Or did I just hear wrong, and they said he can't make it to the draft itself? They didn't say much about it. I hope someone can confirm that I'm wrong.
Since 610 probably gets it's basketball updates from this board, then they were just passing on windandseas's report that Ming will not be attending this year's draft. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36020
That was 610 jumping the gun. They didn't really interpret the press release correctly. Lance Z. got it, fortunately, and they are trying to clear it up.
Actually, ESPN Radio reported this before 610 did. I think 610 just took it straight from the hourly ESPN Radio update.
Whew! Thanks guys. Big sigh of relief here. I thought I was going to cry in the middle of traffic. I need to learn to start taking with a grain of salt what those 610 guys say.
Either this is true or the worst case of a bundled story in a while. I just heard two orning news stations (I think cbs and abc) report that Yao Ming will no longer be in the draft. Which is it? No longer at the draft, or no longer in the draft?
Not physically at the draft. Don't blame 610/ESPN, the AP report is the source of the confusion. Goldberg will be holding a press conference at 10:30 AM, hopefully clearing up the confusion.
I heard the same report. 610 said that the Chinese statement was that Ming would not be physically present at the draft. 610 said that AP issued a release which suggests that Ming might not be available in the draft (ie, not eligible to be drafted), but 610 could not confirm this statement with the Rox brass. 610 speculated that AP might have based their statement on a misinterpretation of the Chinese statement. Yeah, I nearly wrecked my car on the way in.
GOOD! we need some clarification. Glad he is doing a press conference! This whole thing has got me worried. I also saw on "ESPN Insider" that Ming and the Sharks are VERY far off in the payment issue. Something like 3 Million versus 15-20 Million. Unless they get this payment issue resolved then Ming is not comming! I can't believe we have worked this hard so far and things might be unraveling! Hopefully Goldberg can give us an update on EXACTLY what is going on. Thanks for the info! Chris
I am sure Ming would be happy to stay and play for the Sharks...NOT !!! What are they thinking? Ming wants to come to the NBA, and the chinese basketball authority needs to step in and tell the Sharks to be reasonalbe. If not...no Ming in Houston. DaDakota
Man I was blown away by that 610 report, I got numb. I've been so excited about Ming and the draft and felt my stomach drop when I heard that report. Soon after it was a final in Korea and the USA lost to Germany. I was like "This day already SUCKS!" Nothing against tha others in the draft, but I'm not THAT excited about anyone unless it's King Ming. Anyway I think that AP reporter who misinterpreted is an idiot. He apparantly doesn't know sports and thought that his report was SOOOO important that he made it an URGENT realease on the wire. That mized with Jeremy confusion and you get a bad report that almost caused wrecks all over Houston.
I know it is Ming's money, but if the Sharks are asking for 15 million. Big deal! If Ming is the real deal after his rookie contract he will stand to make a TON more than that (and we are not even talking about endorsements!!!). Hopefully this dickering around for money will not be the one stumbling block in all of this! Chris
So much for recording the game and watching it when I get home from work! And I was specifically staying away from the Hangout to avoid seeing the final! Ha! Just kidding! I'm sure I would've found out one way or another anyway.
So WAS KTRK - man talk about freaking me out!!! I checked out the website KTRK.COM and found this... Are hopes to land Yao Ming in Houston dashed? By The Associated Press (6/21/02) — Yao Ming's availability for next week's NBA draft is getting murkier. The official Xinhua News Agency earlier today reported the 7'5" center wouldn't take part in the draft. It said the Chinese national basketball team wanted the seven-foot-five center on board for upcoming tournaments. Now, there's a question about whether the Yao might be merely absent from the draft ceremonies, but would remain eligible for selection. A statement from the China Basketball Association says Yao will join the national team in an upcoming four-nation tournament. Xinhua reports he'll also play in China's world championships qualifying game in August and the Asian Games in October. The Houston Rockets had said they hoped to sign Yao -- possibly as the first pick in the NBA draft -- but only if he could be released from his obligations with the national team. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Come on now. Ming's rookie contract won't be that big; 15 million is alot. You have to put yourself in his shoes. I don't blame him at all.
